Is this why you're so open and available to your fans? I mean, I don't think I've ever met anyone so friendly. I'm not even talking about musicians, here; I'm saying you're a very friendly and accessible person compared to people in general.

That's just the way I am. That's how I was raised. And I like people. Everybody is somebody to me. I'm just as likely to spend an hour talking to a homeless person after giving them some money as I am with anyone else. I find people fascinating and someone with a fancy car and big house doesn't necessarily have a leg up on the interesting scale over someone on the street. In fact, the rich person is probably at a disadvantage here.

Everybody is somebody to me...that's absolutely brilliant! There's a song in those words, you know. It's obviously more than a philosophy with you, it's a way of life.

[Laughing] I never thought of it that way, but I guess you're right. You have to live your life as if everything you have could be gone in a split second. Like the patients I saw during my time as an orderly, none of us are immune to changing fortunes. And if you treat others badly, don't you think you'd be treated the same way, whatever your station in life? You have to be real and you have to care. In the end, it's all we really own — our hearts, you know?

There you have it, a glimpse into the world of Kenny Neal. Personally, I want to thank him for his time and his candor, and I wish him better health. Once he's back touring, I'll be standing at the stage, front and center. I hope you will, too.